Sorry, wrote and edited this in one go, so didn't send out any teasers this time around.

Christian

Thanksgiving. A time for togetherness and loved ones. So many loved ones.

My mother hosts Thanksgiving every year and invites everyone under the sun. At least it seems like it. My grandparents will he here along with all of our signicant others, the Kavanaghs, and the Steeles.

Of course, Anastasia doesn't know that they're inside, yet. She struggled so hard with the decision to stay in Seattle for Thanksgiving. She wanted to spend the holiday with her parents, but it also meant that she would be spending it without Ellie and me, because I just couldn't bear to pull her away from her whole family when it's a tradition we've always had.

I hated watching her struggle. She called her mother sobbing, begging them not to be angry with her. Of course her mother took it in stride and told her to dry her tears and to come this weekend. It took all of two seconds and a call to my mother for me to decide that they needed to be here for her. I wanted them to meet my family anyway and I'm hoping I can work on Mr. Steele a little today. I really want us to get along.

When we step into the house, it's full of noise and laughter and Ellie hurries in ahead of us to announce our arrival.

"DADDY!" Anastasia squeals when she notices her father standing in the sitting room. "What-How-When did-Oh gosh." As she hugs him, I can feel myself grinning. I love that I can surprise her like this. Her parents mean so much to her and I'm so glad she doesn't have to go through the holiday with an ache in her heart because they were so far away.

"Surprise, sugar. We drove in a couple hours ago." Even though he's struggling about our relationship, it's easy to see his love for his daughter. His eyes are crinkled at the edges with a smile and I swear I see him swipe at the corner real quick when she lets him go.

"How long are you staying? Where's Momma?" Anastasia's cheeks are pink and bright, ecstatic with the news and my stomach somersaults just looking at her. She's so damn beautiful and when she's happy like this... fuck. Nothing could be more beautiful. She's breathtaking in her dark wash jeans that make her ass look phenomenal and her cranberry sweater that dips off one of her shoulders. Her hair is down and in waves and she's added a little mascara just like I like, making her eyes so doe like, she could pass for a Disney character.

Mr. Steele's body blocks my view of perfection and I get pulled out of my ogling, realizing I stared far too long. Blinking, I give him a smile as he makes his way toward me.

"How was your travel, Mr. Steele?"

He gives me a nod. "Fine." He regards me for a moment and I begin to notice a reoccurring theme. How I wouldn't love to know what he's thinking when he stares like that. At least I'm not bursting into flames.

He finally holds out a hand and I give it a shake. "Thank you for inviting us, Christian. I know Annie was struggling over it."

"You're more than welcome. You're always welcome here. For any holiday or any reason for that matter. There's plenty of room at our home for you and Carla to stay." I'm kissing ass.

"Annie would like that."

I nod. "Both of my girls would."

"There he is!" Carla comes toward us with her arms open wide, Ana on her trail. "Give me a hug, Christian." Chuckling, I hug her against me.

"You, my boy, have made our holiday." She reaches up to cup my cheek and I can't help but grin down at her. It's such a motherly thing to do... something my mother does frequently. It's so comforting knowing that she accepts me even though Mr. Steele doesn't, yet.

"Boy?" Ana giggles. "Mom. There is less of an age difference between you two than there is between you and Dad."

Realizing, her mother drops her hand and laughs. "Sorry, Christian. I suppose she's right."

I wave it off. "Don't be. I'd rather be called a boy than be called old, which your daughter happened to call me just days ago."

Ana gasps in mock surprise. "I remember no such thing."

I give her a wink, which causes a pretty little blush to form on her skin. She did in fact call me old and in return, I bent her over the bed and spanked her until she apologized for using such a word on me. Old? Never.

XxXxXx

Eamon, Mr. Steele, and my father are downstairs in my father's man cave, I'm sure watching sports while enjoying tumblers of liquor while Kathleen, Carla, and my mother fuss about the kitchen. Elliot sits with Ellie on his lap while he watches football with Kate and Ethan and I can feel myself bristling at the thought of my daughter being so close to the douchebag I wanted to beat the shit out of. I know she's safe with her uncle though and it's beyond cute listening to her mimic Elliot's hollering at the TV when something happens. She has no idea what is going on, but that doesn't stop her from cheering or booing when her uncle does.

I find myself standing between the group at the television and Anastasia, who is having a glass of wine at the kitchen island while she watches the other women work.

"Christian... go enjoy the game with your brother." Ana nods across the open space towards the couch.

I take a drink of my bourbon that I'm holding, trying to figure out why I feel torn. I'm annoyed with myself because I know why. I'm just ignoring it. If Ethan wouldn't give been a prick, we'd both be on the couch, enjoying the game and Ellie and Elliot's antics.

"I don't want to leave you."

She sighs and pushes herself off the stool, grabbing her wine. I watch as she makes her way over to me and look down at her when she leans her body into mine. "You know my heart can't take it when you pout like that."

I'm pouting? I suck in my bottom lip and it makes her giggle. Pushing off of me, she stands up straight and takes my hand. "Come on, we'll both watch the game."

My eyebrows knit together. "Ana?"

Her tongue runs over her bottom lip and I watch, wanting to take it in my mouth. I watch her pretty mouth when she speaks.

"I'm not going to let him have the power to change my behavior. We're going to enjoy ourselves and the family. If he's uncomfortable, then he can go."

I don't like the thought of Ana being so close to him, but she's right. This is my family.

We make our way over leisurely and I plop down on the cushion next to my brother and yank Ana down into my lap, startling her and making her giggle as she pulls her knees up and lets her feet rest between my brother and me.

I notice her giggle makes the Kavanagh fucker almost break his neck as his head spins toward her at the sound, but I pretend to ignore him while he sits on the other couch.

Anastasia

"Ellie... your turkey looks a little burned." Grace put the three of us in charge of icing the cookies and Ellie is using a dark brown on hers. Thankfully, I'm told that the cookies always look like a disaster since they have a tradition of passing the responsibility to a different child each year. This year, it's Christian's turn, so I somehow got stuck with helping ice dozens of Thanksgiving shaped cookies. Last year was Elliot's turn and, seeing pictures, they looked horrendous so at least I know mine will be a little better than that.

"MawMaw must have forgot to set the timer then!" Ellie giggles.

"I have never forgotten to set the timer for turkey, child! That burned looking turkey cookie is all on you." Grace smacks her butt with a dish towel, making Ellie squeal and turn to hide her backside.

"Mine keep breaking." Christian pouts and I have to force myself to look down at his cookie cause his pout does things to me.

"Gentle, honey. A gentle touch goes a long way."

"I can be gentle!" He sounds affronted by my words. It causes me to snort and his palm lands sharply on my backside, making me jolt into the counter in front of me.

"See! You're a brute!"

He playfully growls into my ear before offering me the broken edge of his cookie. I open my mouth so he can feed it to me.

He presses a kiss to my lips as I chew. "I love feeding you."

My eyebrow cocks at his admission while he looks over my face and presses another kiss to my lips.

"Stop getting all hot and heavy over the family cookies and get to work!" Grace's light admonishing has us hurrying to finish. At this rate, we'll never get done. We'll still be standing here while everyone is in the dining room eating turkey.

XxXxXx

"Stasia, can we please talk?"

I'm standing on the patio while some of the guys set up the backyard for a game of football. I never expected Ethan to have the guts to come up to me today. I wrap my arms around myself and eye him.

"At least give me a minute to grovel at your feet."

I chew my lip while I think for a second. It was probably inevitable that he would come looking to talk, so I best get it over with. Finally, I shrug a shoulder while I tighten my grip on myself.

"I hate myself for what I did. I hate how weak I am when it comes to you. I was confused at first when I didn't hear you answer the phone and then when I heard you... it just brought back so many memories and..." Sighing, he runs a hand through his blond hair. "It was wrong. Fuck was it wrong. I took advantage of you and I'm devastated. I hate myself for not thinking of how my actions would hurt you and break your trust."

In my periphery, I see Christian come stomping over from deeper in the yard and I put a hand out to stop him. He stops, but he doesn't move.

"I am so sick of men using women however they want. I never thought you could do something like that. You were always so sweet and gentle... that's why I fell for you. You made me feel like I was a damn princess from a fairytale or something. My boyfriends before... they treated me so terrible and you showed me just how good I could have it. You showed me that I deserved better and to expect better."

"Ana..."

"But my idea of you changed over the last month. A man I thought was a gentleman to a fault ended up being just another predator. You desecrated every memory I had with you. I can't stop thinking back and wondering what else you did that I didn't know about. I think back on our time together and I get tummy sick over it. You ruined everything, Ethan. I was so happy we could be friends again. It was so easy and comfortable to be around you. But now it's all gone."

He sniffles and I realize he has tears in his eyes. I hate that it makes my stomach twist with guilt. He did this to us. I grunt out a frustrated sigh when his tears fuel my own and I wipe angrily at my face.

"I can't fix it, I know, but I am sorry. I'm disgusted with myself. I wish I could take away the pain and hurt I caused you. You're with him now," he hooks a thumb toward Christian who is still standing ten feet away with his teeth grinding, "and I can see how happy he makes you. Seeing you with him today has made that obvious. I keep catching him staring at you when you aren't looking... like he just can't believe you're his. Hell. I can't believe it. But I'll respect it. He's obviously taking better care of you than anyone else could." He puts his hands up when I open my mouth. "I know, I know you can take care of yourself, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve it. Hell, he had my phone wiped within hours of finding out... well, you know. I'm sure that wasn't cheap. And then to come knocking down my door... fuck. That's more courage than I'd ever have."

I can't help myself, I laugh at his admission. "He's protective."

"He's an ape!" He corrects, laughing. "But I realize now that's what you need. When you told me you needed different, I couldn't wrap my head around what you meant. But seeing you two together, I see it now... and he's definitely that."

I grin. Christian and Ethan are complete opposites, for sure. Did it annoy me to no end when Christian paced around throwing his weight and voice around? Yes. But did it make me want to jump him and tear off his clothes? Also yes.

"Who knew little o' me needed an alpha male?"

Ethan snorts. "The feminist needing an alpha male." He shrugs."I don't know. Makes perfect sense to me. It's like Ying and Yang if you think about it. You even each other out."

"I suppose. I appreciate you coming to apologize and I hope that we can be civil enough for Kate and Elliot's sake, but if we don't wrap this up soon, my alpha male is going to have nubs for teeth."

"Is that the grinding sound I keep hearing?"

I hate that Ethan makes me laugh, but he does. I give him a wave and turn, heading straight for the man who really would do anything for me. I wrap my arms around his middle and hug him tightly, pressing my cheek into his chest. I feel him relax in my arms.

"I love you so much, Christian."

"Do I need to get Elliot?"

"No." I pull away enough to look at him. I can't keep the smile off my face. "Everything is fine. I feel much better. Getting my feelings out was so cathartic."

He searches my face. "Tell me what was said."

My smile widens at his demand. No question. "I told him that I needed an alpha male and he agreed that wasn't him and that he was sorry for what happened. He said he has noticed how happy we are and he's going to respect that."

His lips twitch into a smile. "Alpha male, huh?"

I nod. "A gorgeous, sexy Alpha male."

"And that's me?"

"Oh, yea." I bite my lip.

"Getting wet for me, babygirl?"

I smack his chest. "Christian! You can't use that nickname willy nilly like that!"

He smirks and leans, bending me backward a little so I have to hold onto his shoulders while his hands are splayed out across my back.

His lips ghost over my ear. "I am your Alpha and I'll call you anything I damn well please. If you have a problem with that, I'll welt that backside until the problem is gone. Tell me you understand."

I know I'm panting into his ear, but I can't help it. He's thrown me into overdrive within just a few seconds. "Yes, sir." My voice is so quiet and breathy that I don't know if he's even heard me. When I feel his length grow and press against my navel, I know he has.

"Good girl. Now are you going to answer my question or are we going to do this the hard way?"

I whimper and wish I could shimmy, but I'll lose my footing with the way he's leaning over me. He has complete control over my body without trying... and without anyone even noticing. Shit. Why does that turn me on that much more?

"Yes, sir." I breathe out. "I'm wet."

He straightens, pulling me with him and I'm back up on my feet. He doesn't release me though. His gray eyes are dark and deep... like he's carrying a whole galaxy in them. I've never seen them like this and I think I've unlocked something deep inside of him that is terrifying and exhilerating.

"Mine."

The soft growl makes me shiver and my nipples harden in my bra. Jesus Christ.

"Yours." I breathe out.

He takes my mouth in a rough, possessive kiss that's over as quickly as it started. It causes me to flip on my axis though and I have to grip his forearms until my world settles again.

Reaching up, he runs a thumb along my lower lip. "Why don't you go find a blanket to keep warm with? I have to speak to Mr. Steele and then we'll start the football game."

Unable to speak, I just nod in agreement.

The right side of his lip turns up in a crooked grin and he turns me towards the back door, patting my butt.

"Go on, baby. I need my cheerleader."

XxXxXx

I wake to a gentle hand rubbing up and down my back. I blink.

"Morning, beautiful."

I stretch and yawn. "Morning. What time is it?"

"Seven."

I frown. We didn't go to bed until after 2:00am. "Why are we awake then?" Ellie is still asleep, so should we.

"I need to go to work."

I pout. "Work? But it's Black Friday." Everyone but retailers are closed for the long weekend.

"Contracts wait for no one, Ana."

I sigh. "I'm sorry. I know you work hard and have too much on your plate already. I'm being a selfish brat."

He grins and runs his fingers up and down my spine, over my silk nightgown. "It'll only take a few hours, baby. Just want to finish up some month-end things. Enjoy brunch with your parents and Ellie while they're in town. I made you reservations at our restaurant Tango Charlie's. It's already taken care of, so just sign the check when it comes."

I press a kiss to his lips. "Thank you. You spoil us."

"Only option, baby."

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